ARLINGTON, VA — As the year draws to a close, CPG companies can start prepping for the consumer trends expected in 2025. To give the bottom line a boost, Nestle shared its trend predictions for the months ahead with Food & Wine.
Trend No. 1: ‘Newstalgia’
A blend of “new” and “nostalgia,” this trend has commercial bakeries combining familiar elements with new and innovative twists. The fad quickly gained ground with marketers due to its combined success in catering to millennials and introducing Gen Z to a product they might not have considered before.
An example of this is Reese’s successful launch of Reese’s Dipped Animal Crackers. The bite-sized, chocolate- and peanut butter-coated crackers are available in 13 different animal shapes, playing on the childlike wonder of the popular children’s snack.
Nestle predicts this trend will maintain its fanbase and reach new consumers in 2025 as brands aim to keep a range of generations engaged with their products.
Trend No. 2: Little treats
The ‘little treat culture’ popular among consumers grants permissible indulgence, and snack brands are catering to this demand by introducing smaller portions and individually wrapped products to their portfolios.
The rise in fun-sized formats followed this trend. Answering this call, Drake’s, a McKee Foods brand, introduced Mini Cake Bites to its product portfolio. The portable, portion-controlled offering allows consumers to treat themselves to four mini cakes for on-the-go snacking.
Nestle notes that this trend will take many forms in 2025 and continue to gain momentum among health-conscious consumers.
Trend No. 3: Global and spicy flavors
Spicy flavors have certainly seen their fair share of popularity, but Nestle predicts this trend will take on a new degree of complexity. Inspired by flavors from around the globe, snack brands can delight — and surprise — consumers with bold, exotic flavors and new ingredients.
Versatile ingredients, such as Hawaij, a Yemen-sourced spice blend made from cinnamon, clove, ginger, and cardamom, have potential applications in baked goods, such as coffee cake. Black lime, a dried citrus with a sweet and smoky profile, is gaining ground on social media and can be used to elevate a baked good through its tangy flavor.
Nestle is confident this trend will carry through the year and, because of this, has made strategic investments in both Asian and Mexican cuisine through product lines of frozen foods.
Food manufacturers looking to reach more consumers in 2025 can put their own spin on these trends for upcoming products. After all, the emphasis on innovation remains alive and well.
